Journey to Venus

A little over a year ago, I decided I wanted to move up a level in Half Fanatics.  Much like when I randomly announced I wanted to run a marathon, not a lot of thought went into the decision.  Apparently, I’m much more of a jump first, figure it out later kind of girl than I realized.  Surprisingly, Beer Geek was totally on board with my idea.  (I think he just really wanted me to do another 5 half marathons in 5 days and didn’t realize what he was getting in to.)

I knew I’d kick off the fun with RNR USA.  I hadn’t run it in a few years and knew that it was exactly 78 days from ZOOMA Annapolis.  Boom!  Start and finish settled.

Since we’d already established that I would spend spring break running the Riverboat Series, that was another 5 settled from day 1.  Add in the Frederick Running Festival that I’ve fallen in love with and I had 8 of the 13 races decided upon almost immediately.

It would be easy to find the other 5, right?  Turns out it was a little more difficult than I thought.

But I did it.

There were a few crazy early mornings to get to races.  There were a few unplanned expenses (Nike, ouch, and a hotel when I decided to race in Delaware).  There were a few post race desperate attempts to get to what ever else I needed to be at.  There were soccer games missed, parties not attended, chores undone.

For the first time since we had kids, *I* was my priority this spring.  Getting my races in trumped nearly everything. I am so appreciative of all the times Beer Geek held down the fort while I ran off to a race. And I can never thank “my village” enough for being the second parent when kids needed to go in two different directions at the same time.

I don’t regret doing this.  I’m proud of myself for setting a goal (as arbitrary as it might have been) and making it happen.  I challenged my body and my mind and I succeeded.

But I’m thankful I’m done.  And I’m not ready to set any more big goals for the moment.  So hang with me as I do some warm weather running and get in some fun travel and a couple of new half marathon states/countries.

‘Cause I’m sure that one night after a few drinks, I’ll come up with a new crazy goal and the adventures will begin again!

Venus by the numbers (mostly because I want the info all in one place…)

Races

March 15, 2014 – Rock ‘n’ Roll USA (DC)
March 23, 2014 – Caesar Rodney Half (DE)
April 4, 2014 – Charlottesville Half Marathon (VA)
April 12, 2014 – Mainly Marathons (KY)
April 13, 2014 – Mainly Marathons (TN)
April 14, 2014 – Mainly Marathons (AR)
April 15, 2014 – Mainly Marathons (MS)
April 16, 2014 – Mainly Marathons (LA)
April 27, 2014 – Nike (DC)
May 4, 2014 – Frederick Running Festival (MD)
May 18, 2014 – Marine Corps Historic Half (VA)
May 25, 2014 – Alexandria Running Festival (VA)
May 31, 2014 – ZOOMA half marathon (MD)

Favorite half  – Frederick Running Festival  (ZOOMA was a close second, but it’s always warmer when ZOOMA happens.)

Least favorite half – Alexandria Running Festival

Fastest half – Frederick Running Festival – This course just really works for me!  It was my fastest half in 2013 as well.

Slowest half – Mainly Marathons – Kentucky – The combination of heat, hills, and a wet trail just pretty much sucked.  This was the only race I was worried I might not finish.

Best Medal – ZOOMA Annapolis (Nike is cool in a totally different way.)

Worst Medal – Alexandria Running Festival

Hilliest – Pretty much all of them.  Seriously, if you ever hear I’m signed up for a race, I can guarantee you that there will be at least one AWFUL hill if not an entire course of them.  I’ve never ever run a “flat and fast” course…  (To be honest, I think Arkansas was not hilly, but it was pouring rain, so that made up for it. LOL)

Most memorable moments:

• Being greeted at the finish line of RNR USA by one of my MRTT mommas

• Running past Beta Bridge and other old college haunts in Charlottesville
• Kim and Beer Geek getting me through the last lap in Kentucky
• Running in water up to my shins with lightning and thunder in Arkansas

• Finishing  my 5th half marathon in 5 days faster than the other four half marathons in the series
• Blowing my recent PR out of the water at Frederick
• Crying at the finish line at ZOOMA as I realized that I’d really done it!

The medals I earned:

The shirts that will never be worn (I’m having them turned into a quilt):

The swag I either bought or was given that I intend to use regularly:

A huge shout out to Altra Running for the pair of shoes that they gave the ZOOMA ambassadors.  Those shoes, plus a couple of pairs I bought myself, carried me through 12 of the 13 half marathons.  I don’t think my feet would have survived without them!  Also, as I mentioned yesterday, I ran 12 of the 13 in my Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirts.  No chafing and no issues for all those many miles!

And finally, thank you to you all.  I appreciate the virtual support and the in person support that readers and friends provided me on this journey.  It would not have been half ;o) the fun it was, if it weren’t for the people who shared the journey with me.